Apparatus for bleeding hydraulic lines

ABSTRACT

A wrench for bleeding brake systems has a nipple extending from an end thereof to which a flexible tube and a receptacle are connected. Hydraulic fluid in the brake lines is collected through the nipple and the tube into the receptacle. The nipple can be permanently attached to the wrench and the flexible tube can be connected to the nipple so that the wrench, nipple, tube, and receptacle are used as a system and need not be disconnected in order to manipulate the wrench.

lJnited States Patent Stebbins 1 Jan. 18, 1972 APPARATUS FOR BLEEDING References Cited HYDRAULIC LINES UNITED STATES PATENTS [7211 Inventor: Ray sebbins, 3847 Eggeman Ave 3,301,282 1/1967 Fresolone ..l4l/98 h' 12 Toledo 0 lo 436 Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell, Jr. [22] Filed: Dec. 15, 1969 Attorney-Allen D. Gutchess, Jr.

[21] Appl. No.: 884,835 ABSTRACT A wrench for bleeding brake systems has a nipple extending US. Cl ..141/93, 81/1, 141/311 from an end thereof to which a flexible tube and a receptade 5 /04 13 5 3 04 are connected. Hydraulic fluid in the brake lines is collected Field ofSearch ..l41/98, 31 1, 367, 382, 383, through the nipple and the tube into the receptacle The pl4l/384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 392; 222/159; pie can be permanently attached to the wrench and the flexi- 5; 81/] ble tube can be connected to the nipple so that the wrench, nipple, tube, and receptacle are used as a system and need not be disconnected in order to manipulate the wrench.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures l I l 4 6 PAIENIEnwam 3.635262 6 INVENTOR.

RA Y M. STEBB/NS APPARATUS FOR BLEEDING HYDRAULIC LINES This invention relates to apparatus for bleeding hydraulic lines and more specifically to a wrench having fluid-collecting means for bleeding brake lines, wheel cylinders, and power brake boosters.

In the bleeding of hydraulic lines, such as automobile brake lines, it is common practice to open the valve and apply pressure on the brake pedal or otherwise apply pressure on the system until any air has escaped and some brake fluid is ejected. Commonly, this brake fluid is simply allowed to drop on the floor. If it is wiped up, this takes the time of the mechanic. If allowed to remain, the fluid will often dissolve paint on the floor or on the automobile if coming in contact therewith. The fluid can be slippery, thereby presenting a hazard to the mechanics. Also, as the fluid ages, it turns rancid and emits a strong, unpleasant odor.

In accordance with the present invention, a wrench, preferably a box end wrench, as ordinarily used to open and bleed the valves, is provided with nipples which extend away from the wrench end and receive a flexible tube. The flexible tube, in turn, is connected to a receptacle such as a plastic bottle. With this arrangement, the fluid emitted from the valve is received through the nipple and tube into the receptacle, thereby eliminating the above problem and disadvantages. The wrench, nipple, tube, and receptacle can be conveniently carried from one wheel to another to bleed the other lines without the necessity of disconnecting the tube from the nipple and wrench at any time, except when changing the wrench size for other size valves.

The nipple can be permanently affixed to the wrench. If a metal nipple is used, it can be forged or shell-molded as an integral part of the wrench. It can also be made on a screw.

machine, for example, and soldered or brazed on the wrench. If a plastic nipple is employed, it can be adhered to an existing wrench by heat or cement or can be formed with a recessed portion which is snapped onto the end of the wrench. If the nipple is of rubber, it can be vulcanized to the wrench, for example.

In one important form of the invention, the internal passage in the nipple can be provided with an inwardly extending annular lip through which the end of the valve is received to provide a seal for the valve. This prevents the possibility of air leaking back into the line. Such a possibility exists, for example, if an assistant applies pressure to the brake pedal to pressurize the system when the bleed valve is opened, and prematurely releases the pedal before the bleed valve is again completely closed.

The flexible line preferably extends into the receptacle near the bottom thereof so that the end of the line is immersed in the first fluid emitted thereinto from one of the brake lines. With the end of the line covered, this also prevents air from being sucked back through the line if the above condition should occur. Thus, it is impossible for air to be sucked back into the brake line either through the wrench opening or through the flexible tube and back to the valve.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for bleeding hydraulic lines having the advantages discussed above.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a somewhat schematic view of a vehicle wheel and the bleeding apparatus embodying the invention positioned on a bleed valve at the back of the wheel;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in elevation of a box end wrench and nipple mounted thereon for receiving the plastic tube shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in cross section through the end of the wrench and the nipple, with the flexible tube in place, and with the wrench placed over a bleed valve used with a brake cylinder and the wheel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in cross section showing a wrench with a modified nipple;

FIG. 5 is a view in elevation, with parts broken away and with parts in cross section, of a modified nipple on a wrench; and

FIG. 6 is a view in cross section taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 1, a wheel 12 of a vehicle carries a tire 14 with hydraulic brakes located within the wheel 12. The brakes are operated by brake fluid supplied through a hydraulic line (not shown) connected with a wheel cylinder and a bleed valve 16 (FIG. 3) through which air and fluid can be bled. The valve is not shown in FIG. I, being positioned in an end of a bleeder wrench l8 embodying the invention. The wrench 18 is basically of a conventional design, being shown as a box end wrench with an offset handle 20 and two ends 22 and 24, each having a noncircular opening 26 of a different size to accommodate different sizes of valves. In practice, three box end wrenches of different sizes are sufficient to accommodate the bleed valves 16 of almost any vehicle. For passenger cars, a wrench having a one-fourth and a three-eighths inch end will accommodate almost all the bleed valves. The openings 26 in the valve ends preferably are six-pointed which provides maximum strength for manipulating the valves 16. The bleed valves are usually closed tightly and tend to set when not being opened for a period of time; hence, a strong wrench is needed.

l-Ieretofore, when the bleed valves 16 are opened, an assistant places pressure on the brake pedal in the automobile to place the brake system under pressure, thereby forcing out air and some brake fluid from the valve. Altemately, apparatus is available to be connected with the master cylinder to place the brake system under constant pressure although relatively few garages have such equipment available unless they do a substantial volume in brake relining, etc. Some brake fluid is always ejected from the valve so that the mechanic knows all air is out of the line. The fluid commonly is allowed to simply fall to the floor. If not wiped up, which itself is time consuming, the fluid may eat or dissolve paint on the floor or any other surface with which it may come in contact. The fluid also is slippery and constitutes a safety hazard. Finally, if allowed to remain long enough, it will become rancid and emit a strong, unpleasant odor. Since the vehicle is usually on a hoist when the brake system is bled, the bleed valves are near eye level. Consequently, it also is not uncommon for the brake fluid to squirt into the eyes or face of the mechanic.

In accordance with the invention a nipple 28 is aflixed to the wrench end 22, extending away from the valve 16. As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the nipple 28 is of metal. It has a beaded connecting spout 30 and an annular contacting surface 32 with a passage 34 having a flared portion 36 extending to the surface 32. The nipple 28 can be affixed to the wrench end 22 by soldering or brazing the annular surface 32 to the end around the noncircular opening 26. However, other methods of manufacture are possible, including forging the wrench end and the nipple 28 as an integral unit or shell molding the two.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bleed valve 16 has an enlarged flared end 38 which is received in the flared passage portion 36 of the nipple. The valve has a narrow shank 40 spacing the flared end from a noncircular or hexagonal portion 42 which is received in the noncircular opening 26 of the wrench end to enable the valve to be turned. The valve 16 requires no more than about three-fourths of a turn in order to be backed open sufficiently to bleed the line with which it is associated.

A flexible tube 44 is connected on the spout 30 of the nipple 28 and is securely held thereon, preferably being from 8 to 16 inches long for easy handling. The tube communicates with a clear receptacle 46 which can be a plastic pint bottle with a closure member 48. The tube 44 can extend through the closure member 48 directly into the bottle or be connected to another plastic line or extension 50 therein, as shown in FIG. I. The tube or extension preferably extends down near the bottom of the receptacle 46 for purposes to be discussed subsequently. The closure member 48 also has a vent 52 therein.

Referring to FIG. 4, the wrench end 22 has a modified, resilient nipple 54 affixed thereto. When the nipple 54 is of plastic, it can be affixed to the wrench by heat or by cement. If

the nipple is of rubber, it can be cemented or vulcanized to the wrench end 22. Also, if the nipple 54 is of rubber, it will be sufficiently resilient to be made in only one size and yet accommodate all sizes of valves. The nipple 54 includes a beaded spout 56 and an annular contacting surface 58 which engages the wrench end 22, around the noncircular opening 26. A passage 60 extends from the end of the spout 56 to the surface 58. Particularly with more resilient materials, such as rubber, the passage 60 preferably is formed with an inwardly extending annular lip 62. The lip 62 is sized to enable the flared end 38 of the valve 16 to pass therethrough with the lip 62 then engaging the smaller shank portion 40 of the valve to form a seal therewith.

In practice, it has been found that when bleeding valves with an assistant placing pressure on the brake pedal, the pedal is sometimes released prior to the valve being closed. in such an instance, air may be sucked back into the brake line through the valve. Further, the mechanic is usually not even aware of this. However, with the lip 62, air is prevented from passing through the opening 26, into the passage 60, and into the valve. Also, in order to prevent air from being sucked back through the line 50, the tube 44, and the nipple 54 into the valve, the end of the line 50 extends close to the bottom of the receptacle 46, as previously discussed. Consequently, the end of the line 50 will be immersed in the liquid and closed off as soon as a small amount is deposited from the brake line into the receptacle 46.

In FIGS. and 6, a nipple 64 is of a snap-on type, to be applied to an existing conventional wrench with the end 22. The nipple 64 has a spout 66 and an annular surface 68 with a passage 70 having a flared portion 72 extending therethrough. A substantially annular flange 74 forming an annular surface or recess 76 extends from the surface 68 of the nipple. The flange 74 terminates in curved end portions 78 and 80 which are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the diameter of the wrench end 22. This enables the nipple to be snapped over the wrench end 22 and held thereon. Of course, numerous other designs of recesses can be employed to enable a friction or mechanical fit to be achieved between the nipple and an existing wrench.

Various modifications of the above-described embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is to be understood that such modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, the embodiments shown and described being primarily for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

lclaim:

l. A wrench for hydraulic line bleed valves having noncircular outer configurations and being opened when turned for exhausting fluid under pressure from the lines, said wrench comprising a handle having two end portions affixed to said handle, each of said end portions having a noncircular opening of a size and shape to cooperate with the noncircular portion of said bleed valves, said end portions being of different sizes to be used with bleed valves of different sizes, one side of each of said end portions having a nipple extending therefrom to receive a flexible tube positioned over and around said nipple, said nipple being spaced from said handle and separate therefrom, said nipple having a passage communicating with the corresponding end opening.

2. A wrench according to claim 1 characterized by a flexible tube having one end attached to one of said nipples by being positioned over and around said nipple, and a receptacle, the other end of said flexible tube communicating with said receptacle, whereby fluid exhausted from the valve will be directed through said nipple and said flexible tube to said receptacle.

3. A wrench according to claim 2 characterized by said flexible tube having an extension extending to a position close to the bottom of said receptacle whereby the end of the tube extension will be immersed in a small amount of brake fluid exhausted into the receptacle.

4. A wrench according to claim 1 characterized by said wrench being of the box end type with an offset handle, and with said nipples for the end portions of said wrench extending in opposite directions.

5. A wrench according to claim 1 characterized by each of said nipples having a flat annular surface of a size and shape to cooperate with and be affixed to the corresponding end portion of said wrench around said noncircular opening.

6. A wrench for hydraulic line bleed valves having noncircular outer configurations and being opened when turned for exhausting fluid under pressure from the corresponding lines, said wrench comprising a handle having two end portions at opposite ends of said handle, each of said end portions having a noncircular opening of a size and shape to cooperate with the noncircular portion of one of said bleed valves, said end portions being of different sizes to be used with bleed valves of different sizes, one side of each of said end portions having a nipple extending therefrom, each of said nipples having a passage communicating with the corresponding end opening, and a flexible tube removably connected to one of said nipples.

7. A wrench according to claim 6 further comprising each of said nipples having an annular surface of a size and shape to cooperate with and be affixed to a corresponding end portion of the wrench, each of said nipples further having a circular flange extending generally perpendicularly to said annular sur face to cooperate with the corresponding end portion of the wrench and to aid in connecting the nipple to the corresponding end portion of the wrench.

8. A nipple according to claim 7 characterized further by said passage extending substantially perpendicular to said an nular surface, said passage being of a sufficient size at the por tion adjacent said annular surface to receive an end of a bleed valve. 

1. A wrench for hydraulic line bleed valves having noncircular outer configurations and being opened when turned for exhausting fluid under pressure from the lines, said wrench comprising a handle having two end portions affixed to said handle, each of said end portions having a noncircular opening of a size and shape to cooperate with the noncircular portion of said bleed valves, said end portions being of different sizes to be used with bleed valves of different sizes, one side of each of said end portions having a nipple extending therefrom to receive a flexible tube positioned over and around said nipple, said nipple being spaced from said handle and separate therefrom, said nipple having a passage communicating with the corresponding end opening.
 2. A wrench according to claim 1 characterized by a flexible tube having one end attached to one of said nipples by being positioned over and around said nipple, and a receptacle, the other end of said flexible tube communicating with said receptacle, whereby fluid exhausted from the valve will be directed through said nipple and said flexible tube to said receptacle.
 3. A wrench according to claim 2 characterized by said flexible tube having an extension extending to a position close to the bottom of said receptacle whereby the end of the tube extension will be immersed in a small amount of brake fluid exhausted into the receptacle.
 4. A wrench according to claim 1 characterized by said wrench being of the box end type with an offset handle, and with said nipples for the end portions of said wrench extending in opposite directions.
 5. A wrench according to claim 1 characterized by each of said nipples having a flat annular surface of a size and shape to cooperate with and be affixed to the corresponding end portion of said wrench around said noncircular opening.
 6. A wrench for hydraulic line bleed valves having noncircular outer configurations and being opened when turned for exhausting fluid under pressure from the corresponding lines, said wrench comprising a handle having two end portions at opposite ends of said handle, each of said end portions having a noncircular opening of a size and shape to cooperate with the noncircular portion of one of said bleed valves, said end portions being of different sizes to be used with bleed valves of different sizes, one side of each of said end portions having a nipple extending therefrom, each of said nipples having a passage communicating with the corresponding end opening, and a flexible tube removably connected to one of said nipples.
 7. A wrench according to claim 6 further comprising each of said nipples having an annular surface of a size and shape to cooperate with and be affixed to a corresponding end portion of the wrench, each of said nipples further having a circular flange extending generally perpendicularly to said annular surface to cooperate with the corresponding end portion of the wrench and to aid in connecting the nipple to the corresponding end portion of the wrench.
 8. A nipple according to claim 7 characterized further by said passage extending substantially perpendicular to said annular surface, said passage being of a sufficient size at the portion adjacent said annular surface to receive an end of a bleed valve. 